⚡ Quick Answer
Self-employed borrowers can get mortgages at the same rates as employed people — you just need to prove your income differently. Most lenders need 2–3 years of accounts or tax returns (SA302s). Some specialist lenders accept 1 year of trading history.
How Lenders Assess Self-Employed Income
Sole Trader / Partnership
- 2–3 years SA302 tax calculations
- Tax year overviews from HMRC
- 3–6 months business bank statements
- Lenders use net profit figure
Limited Company Director
- 2–3 years company accounts
- SA302 personal tax returns
- Some lenders use salary + dividends
- Some use salary + share of net profit
Expert Tip
Get your SA302s directly from HMRC — they're accepted by all lenders and available instantly via your HMRC online account ↗. Using a specialist self-employed mortgage broker is strongly recommended as they know exactly which lender suits your income structure.
Lenders Friendly to Self-Employed (2025)
| Lender | Min Trading History | Income Basis | Max LTV |
|---|---|---|---|
| Halifax | 1 year (some cases) | Net profit / Salary+Div | 90% |
| Nationwide | 2 years | Average 2yr net profit | 85% |
| Kensington | 1 year | Latest year accounts | 85% |
| Precise | 1 year | Net profit or Salary+Div | 80% |
| Aldermore | 1 year | Salary + retained profit | 80% |
How to Boost Your Chances
- Have at least 2 years of accounts prepared by a qualified accountant
- Avoid reducing your income excessively through expenses if you plan to apply soon
- Save a larger deposit (15–25%+) to access better rates
- Check your credit file 6+ months before applying: Experian ↗
- Use a whole-of-market broker who specialises in self-employed mortgages
Frequently Asked Questions
- Compare total cost over the fixed period — rate plus fees, not headline rate alone
- Start remortgage shopping up to 6 months before your fix ends — you can lock now and switch if rates fall
- Whole-of-market brokers see deals comparison sites don't carry, especially for non-standard income
- Get a soft-search decision in principle before house-hunting — it costs nothing and reveals problems early
What the Comparison Sites Won't Tell You
The single biggest lever on price is loan-to-value. Lenders price in bands — 95%, 90%, 85%, 80%, 75% — and crossing a band boundary can cut your rate by 0.3–0.6 percentage points. Before applying, check whether a small top-up to your deposit crosses a threshold: on a £200,000 loan that's £2,000–£5,000 over a fix.
Product fees deserve as much attention as rates. A £1,499 arrangement fee on a lower rate only pays off above a certain loan size — roughly £150,000+ for typical gaps. Run both totals over the fixed period before deciding.
Timing your remortgage matters more than most borrowers realise. Most lenders let you secure a new rate up to 6 months before your current deal ends — if rates rise you're protected, and if they fall you can usually re-lock lower before completion.
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